reception child still on the books that have one word in

[keynes]

Is this 'normal'?
The word in this week's book is 'look'

Doesn't really know sounds or letters either

I am their CM, and I am a bit worried because I don't do homework as I feel after school time is for relaxing and socialising before 4pm pick up

SHould I try to do some stuff?

[annh]

Difficult to answer without making huge generalisations.

If you are the CM, presumably you don't do homework with the parent's agreement. If they felt you should be doing homework, then surely they would let you know? I agree that children need some down time after school and if you are doing, say, a 3 p.m. pick-up, there is very little time available anyway. I

How old is the mindee? If s/he is very young in year, have they only been attending full days this term?

Many reception children will be reading more fluently at this stage but for some, it just doesn't "click" until later.

Unless you feel that there is some expectation from the parent that you should somehow be helping out more, I don't see that you can really do much or need to feel as if you should be doing more.

[MrsLadywoman]

I don't think there is a 'normal' in reception year - some are already reading whole sentences and others are still learning letters. They all seem to catch up with each other eventually. If you're worried, maybe talk to the teacher when you pick up from school. I'm sure they would be more than happy to give you some guidance.

[keynes]

no, no expectation from the parent

the child mentioned not moving onto pink box or whatever today so I said oh let's have a look at your book we've got 5 minutes til Mummy comes and was

mostly because I don't go in the book bag, no need to

full time since Oct last year, no SN or other issues

I'll have a word with teacher, see if they can guide me

thank you all x x

[annh]

Keynes, I would mention it to the parent before speaking to the teacher, something along the lines of "X was wondering why s/he wasn't on pink box in reading yet, would you like me to ask?" I definitely would not bring it up with the teacher without the parent's knowledge.

[keynes]

yes good point ann

thank you

[Pancakeflipper]

don't worry about it. And glad you are not cramming them with homework at reception age. If they can't teach them in 6 hrs a day at that age - they are doing something wrong.

Doing a reading book at home is enough cos' they will no doubt be taking in stuff that is maths/science/ English etc related without any of you realizing.

At reception age the class will have a huge range of abilities. Some with no words discussing content, some with the word Look. Some with 2 words. Some with a couple of sentences per page. It doesn't mean they are thick or those Reading a few sentences are smart and can book their place at Uni. Reading tends to just "click" one day and that's it they are away.... Year 1 and 2 are years it seems to "click".
Don't worry. As long as the child is exposed to books ( with and without words) they'll crack it at their own pace.

[gingernutlover]

i agree you have to speak to the parent first before you go into school

if i had a child who at this time in the year was at this point (its within normal spectrum) I would be concentrating on letter sounds in a fun way, since this is far more important than reading pink books.

I have some lovely alphabet (lower case) cutters which me and dd use with cooking and with playdough, you could print with them as well. They are great for letter recognition as there is a tactile element too and this could be a fun after school activity which doesnt pressure the child?

[cory]

Reading didn't click with either of mine until Yr 1 or 2. No SN or lack of encouragement- in fact, at 13 dd has read pretty well all the great Victorian novels, she just needed time.

[keynes]

thank you all

have spoken to parents, they want me to carry on as I am, to keep the child's time with me realxing and pleasurable

MN is so valuable, brilliant advice as always

[kodokan]

"have spoken to parents, they want me to carry on as I am, to keep the child's time with me realxing and pleasurable"

What lovely-sounding parents, how refreshing.

[maizieD]

I am curious. Did the parents show any hint of concern about the fact that their child doesn't appear to know any letter/sound correspondences and is being given books to 'read' which contain one word which is obviously completely beyond the scope of their child's non-existent phonic knowledge?

I do hope that they are not posting on here in a year or two's time saying that their dd isn't progressing with her reading and is she dyslexic?

[lovecheese]

maisieD I wish I was as laid back as the parents in question; if it was one of my children who was at this stage at the end of reception I would be hearing rather large alarm bells ringing TBH.

[mrz]

Book sounds like early Ginn 360 and I would say not unusual in some schools.